The PSAT is great practice for the SAT! Don’t study before taking it in 10th grade, so that you have a good idea of where you are starting from. The PSAT does NOT have a hand written essay, it’s just a “fill in the bubble” test. Taking it without practicing can tell you what your “worst possible” score would be the following year. It may be helpful to practice for the PSAT after taking it in 10th grade, depending on your situation. For example, if your student’s score on the “fun” PSAT (sophomore year) makes them a definite candidate for the National Merit Scholarship, then by all means have them study for the “profit” portion of the PSAT their junior year!
Here is the book I recommend for PSAT practice.
If you haven’t already, make sure you read my article on taking the PSAT for fun and profit, in my article archives. You can take it and post it on your blog or website if you think it will help your readers as well! If you aren’t on my email newsletter mailing list, make sure you sign up here.
Related posts
- Help for the High School Junior
- No Freshman Fun!
- First Choice College for NMSQT
- Can I Take the PSAT After the SAT?
- Fun Foreign Language Idea!
- SAT vs. ACT - Let's Review
- Get Ready for the SAT!
- An Exercise in Frustration!
- Is the SAT or ACT best for my homeschooler?
- Is a Perfect PSAT Score Required for Merit Scholarships?
Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
Becky says:
Hi-
If I have an 8th grader doing 9th grade work when should he take the psat for practice and for real?
Becky
September 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Lee Binz says:
Becky,
My advice is to wait…. wait until you feel like you know when “junior” year will be. You will know, because you’ll be thinking about colleges, and how to apply to colleges. At that point, when you’ve decided it’s junior year, THAT is when you take the PSAT “for real.” Then let the year before that be 10th grade, and take the PSAT for fun. Taking the PSAT fun fun is really NOT a huge deal. It’s more important to study for the SAT. If you have an extremely bright child, then they can raise their score on the SAT much more by actually studying for the SAT. The PSAT doesn’t really increase the score much at all.
Sometimes I have a hard time giving counsel via email, and I’m not sure I’ve done a very good job on this answer. Remember that you can always call me during my “free office hours.” These kinds of questions are the perfect “10 minute question” for my office hours. This month, the free time is Wednesdays, 1:00-2:00 Pacific Time.
My toll free number is 1-888-Lee-2Help.
Blessings,
Lee
September 8th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Michelle says:
I was wondering if there is a minimum age requirement for the PSAT. I have students who are interested in taking it earlier than in 10th grade.
Thanks!
February 9th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Lee says:
Hi Michelle,
I have answered your question in a blog post for today. Here is the link to that answer:
http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/?p=991
Blessings,
Lee
February 9th, 2009 at 7:37 pm